Ohio St. to ESPN: You are lying

The real target of the investigation

((ht: dispatch.com))
((ht: espn.com))

This is an interesting little battle here. ESPN.com's Pat Forde posted a story on the 4-letter website Wednesday stating that Ohio State was notified via letter last week that the NCAA is still investigating them and they could be facing more allegations or more problems.

However, Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch told the Columbus Dispatch that no such thing has happened.

Lynch does say they received a letter from investigators, but only pertaining to procedural matters leading into their appearance Friday in front of the Committee on Infractions.

You can read that part of the story from Dispatch.com RIGHT HERE

Interestingly, the Pat Forde story quotes Lynch telling him essentially the same thing. But yet the headline and first paragraph seem to state otherwise. What it does say is stuff that we already knew, that they could still investigate the variety of investigative stories by the Dispatch, ESPN and other media outlets about problems that they brought to light.

It also quotes Lynch telling another ESPN reporter "We will not be able to discuss details of our active investigation with the NCAA until the matter has been resolved." Duh....It's not resolved Pat. It may be resolved on Friday, but it isn't today.

You can read Forde's story RIGHT HERE

We don't know the genesis of Forde's story, and quite honestly, after reading it, we still don't know why that is a headline. Of course they (Ohio State) are still under investigation, and they should be. You are under investigation until the Committee has handed down a decision. That's how such things work. There are no new allegations here. No revelations.

The BIGGER question is, after getting heat for being slow on the Ohio State story, why the "Worldwide Leader" hasn't devoted any time or resources to the "Alabama/T-Town Menswear" story? They did do a brief mention when it 1st came up, but haven't followed it up. They haven't done an "Outside the Lines" it hasn't been mentioned at all.

That story is remarkably similar to this one, yet its been left to bloggers such as Clay Travis at OutKicktheCoverage and Brooks at SportsbyBrooks to do the heavy lifting on it.

Just our two cents.

BREAKING: tOSU Offers To Vacate 2010 Wins

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Ohio State University officials announced a self-imposed penalty to the NCAA of vacating wins from the 2010 football season, including the Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas, as a penalty for Tattoo-Gate...

The university submitted its response to the NCAA on Friday and it was also announced that former head coach Jim Tressel would appear in front of the committee...

Here's our friends at 10TV with Paul Aker in the newsroom...


The two years probation and the Vest's status going from "resigned" to "retired" are pretty funny if you ask the HQ...

The Columbus Dispatch's Randy Ludlow writes that there are two things missing- the post-season ban and the reduction of schollies...

The fact that the school thinks that no one else should be punished because only Tressel knew of the infractions is laughable at best...

From Ludlow and the response...
"The responsibility is upon Tressel. No other institutional personnel were aware" of the violations, and the former coach failed in his obligation to report them, the response says. "The institution is embarrassed by the actions of Tressel."

Sure... more when we know more...

And, while we're at it, here's NBC4's interview with AD Gene Smith...

Developing: BMV: Ohio St. players didn't get special deals

Former coach Jim Tressel/File

((ht: dispatch.com))

Well, that is at least one agency clearing them. You'll have to however forgive our skepticism. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, an agency not known for its efficiency or computerized record keeping (we know this, we live there), has reportedly concluded an investigation stating that no Ohio State football players got a special deal from Jack Maxton Chevy or any other car dealer in the Columbus area.

The investigation by the BMV, which we weren't aware of, concluded that the dealers made a credible profit on the transactions. It also claims no memorabilia or tickets were part of the transactions. However, it did not determine whether there were any "discounts" not given to the public.

And, the report essentially doesn't carry a lot of weight. The BMV is not able to determine, like we said, whether any deals were cut or if the sales were "Appropriate".

Read the entire story from the Columbus Dispatch RIGHT HERE

While we are quite sure the Ohio State folks are patting themselves on the back and rejoicing over this, they probably shouldn't. On paper, and undoubtedly in the headlines, this will be seen as vindication and proof that this was a witch hunt. It's not.

There are still far too many questions still lingering out there, such as how college kids such as Terrelle Pryor could own so many cars in such a short time. We don't for a minute believe he, nor his family, had enough money to fund 6-plus cars in 3-years. Most people making a solid living can't afford that. Think about it.

We still believe Ohio State is in deep doo-doo, and this report won't change that. This is more a "P.R" victory than anything tangible. We are quite sure the "Powers" that be in Columbus are still in great fear of an NCAA "Lack of Institutional Control" warning, and a report from a toothless agency who doesn't keep good records on the drivers in Ohio, much less sales to college football players, will in the long run mean absolutely nothing.

HYPERBOLE ALERT: Pryor Apologizes With Rosenhaus Present, Media Gets No Q&A-Now with Video

Terrelle Pryor

((HT: WBNS-TV))

Terrelle Pryor met with the media alongside his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to fall on whatever sword he thinks he needs to fall on without excuses...

Pryor is 9 credits short would like to graduate some day as a Buckeye. One of his goals to be the best person and role model he can be off the field...

Rosenhaus told the gathered media that there is no point in looking back and that the past is in the past. He thinks Pryor will be a great NFL quarterback and anticipates him being drafted in the first round of the Supplemental Draft...

Rosenhaus went on to trumpet his new client and his "good heart."

"He's going to look teams straight in the eye and tell them he made mistakes," Rosenhaus continued. "Today, he worked out with Chad OchoCinco. He raved about Terrelle. Anyone that is worried about his arm strength...??? Give me a break..."

Rosenhaus fells that his client will learn from the mistakes and not make the same mistakes twice being the best quarterback he can be working hard every day...

The uber-agent also shut it down after seven minutes of incessant rambling and raving- not giving his client the opportunity to answer any media questions.

An excellent media manipulation by Rosenhaus...and we'd like some of the illegal substance he consumed before the presser.

We might also add, this will do nothing to convince cynical NFL Experts or NFL Scouts about Pryor's character. There are far too many questions about what went down in Columbus and it appears that Rosenhaus has advised his client to pretend like they don't exist.

Anyone want to start a pool on the 1st team to ask about it?

Our friends at the Columbus Dispatch provide the video proof:

tOSU Compliance Has Eyed Photog Since Last Year

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

Our love for 10Investigates continues...

According to our friends at WBNS-TV, Ohio State University's compliance office says it was looking into freelance photographer/memorabilia salesman Dennis Talbott as far back as a year ago.

Apparently, the university was looking into an anonymous tip and a possible connection between Talbott, Pryor and the local car dealerships that have come into play with Terrelle Pryor's penchant for switching out cars with a decent amount of speed during his time on campus.

Andrea Cambern tosses to Paul Aker...

Report: Pryor and Photog had long business arrangement, Pryor: Not true

Terrelle Pryor

((ht: sportsbybrooks/columbus distpatch))

Well, we keep saying the rabbit hole gets deeper and we believe it does. Our friends at SportsbyBrooks are again reporting on the appearance of a questionable relationship between now former Ohio State qb Terrelle Pryor and Columbus freelance photographer Dennis Talbott.

Brooks already reported on the NCAA finding cancelled checks from Talbott to Pryor in their initial investigation (one, not previously reported). Now, there is more.

The latest report has found a Facebook page and former website, run allegedly by Talbott for the specific purpose of selling signed Ohio State memorabilia. All with references...and photos of various Ohio State players, while they were eligible, signing stuff for Talbott to sell.

Please read the SportsbyBrooks story RIGHT HERE

On the flip-side, the Columbus Dispatch quotes Pryor's local attorney as saying "I can tell you on the record there were no checks from Dennis Talbott in any Terrelle Pryor bank account.""And there was no money from Dennis Talbott to Terrelle Pryor."


Read the story from the Dispatch, which also talks of Pryor's future RIGHT HERE

**Update**--Mr. Talbott spoke to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer and said essentially the reports of him paying and profiting off Pryor were "Bogus". The story goes on to detail some new facts on Talbott's relationship with Pryor.


Read the Cleveland Plain-Dealer story RIGHT HERE


We don't believe Pryor's attorney or Talbott. For a minute. 1st off, we believe Pryor bailed on Ohio State ahead of the NCAA coming down on his activities. Less doubt about that with every story.

2nd, Brooks has documentable proof. And while we know people have skated by even with video or photo evidence to the contrary, that won't be the case here. While we believe Pryor's attorney, Larry James believes what he's been told, we don't believe he's been told everything.

For his part, young Mr. Pryor appears to be delusional. Stories have been leaking out about his "Prima Donna", high maintenance attitude at Ohio State, one he is probably going to regret. In today's Dispatch story, attorney James also mentions Pryor not wanting to play in the Canadian Football League and looking into hiring a quarterback coach for him. This is why we think Pryor is delusional. He wasn't a very good QB at Ohio State, winning partially on the talent around him. And he wasn't a good leader. But he appears to consider himself both things.

His legacy at Ohio State isn't going to be kind. The buzzards are circling and the dirt keeps getting piled on, with the paper trail not far behind. However he won't suffer for it, the kids going to OSU behind him...they'll be the ones paying the price.

BREAKING: The Exodus Begins In Columbus, Pryor Leaves tOSU

Adam Schefter at the four-letter is saying Terrelle Pryor is declaring himself for a supplemental draft.

More when we know more

We know more...

According to Tom Farrey and Justine Gubar at ESPN, a former friend of Pryor's admits to them that Pryor made as much as $40k in the memorabilia bid-ness that he made for himself in his time on campus...

The HQ will restrain its mock surprise...
Here's Don Bell with that angle of the story...



"In the best interest of my teammates, I have made the decision to forego my senior year of football at The Ohio State University," Pryor said in a prepared statement read by his attorney Larry James...

Yeah, this ain't the last of this... expect the rest of the"Tattoo Five" to try and depart post haste...

Dudley Ross Disputes SI Article

((HT: WBNS-TV))

Tattoo store owner Dudley Ross wouldn't go on-camera to dispute the Sports Illustrated article. Now, he's saying the quotes were "lies spun by people who wanted to bring him down."

That's a first... a desire to bring a tattoo store owner down...???

Here's Paul Aker ruling the HQ again...

Tattoo You: Gee Says Gene Smith Is Safe

((HT: NBC4i.com Columbus))

Although the HQ would tend to wholly and unequivocally disagree, Ohio State University president Gordon Gee maintains that the job of his Athletics Director, Gene Smith, is safe in light of all the current allegations on campus...

We don't think he mentioned the compliance department in the interview below, though.

Here's the interview in full...


The HQ still thinks that Smith is on a short leash in all of this, and if the situation gets worse ((which we think it will in light of George Dohrmann's laughter on "The Dan Patrick Show" yesterday)) Smith is gone...

And Gee may be gone after this all settles...
Maybe Tressel's firing will get Gee fired after all...

Tressel- check...
Smith- waiting...
Gee- we're thinking Nixonian here...

Here's WBNS-TV's Kevin Landers with his version...
((HT: 10TV Columbus))


More when we know more...

Pryor's Mom Denies Any Car Issues With Terrelle

((HT: WBNS-TV))

The HQ can't thank the investigative unit at 10TV enough these days...

We enjoy how they advance the story on Terrelle Pryor, his cars, and tOSU...

The latest allegations center around all the rental cars Pryor has had during his tenure at Ohio State and the fact that he's had some moving violations while he's been in and around campus... in all the different cars...

Sometimes without insurance and all the other appropriate paperwork...

Now 10TV has caught up with Pryor's mom- off camera- and she is claiming that there's nothing wrong...


The HQ continues to think that tOSU is so screwed, it's not even funny...

Terrelle Pryor's Driver's License Suspended Early In May, Involved In New Tattoo Allegations... ((UPDATED- His License Is Still Suspended))

((HT: WBNS-TV))

And the HQ doesn't think that it has anything to do with the stop sign he rolled through when our friends at 10TV saw him leaving his tOSU team meeting Monday night...

But, earlier in May, it was disclosed that Pryor's license had been suspended for a failure to provide proof of insurance. There is no word on whether or not he fixed the issue and was driving around on a provisional license- or the Ohio equivalent to something like that...

Paul Aker has new allegations from another worker over at Fine Line Ink who has proof that athletes, including Pryor, dealt memorabilia for tattoos last December- after former head coach Jim Tressel claimed to know of the problems arising on campus... and just before the Feds told tOSU of the problems in Columbus...

Here's the interview...


2215 UPDATE: WCMH-TV/NBC4i says the Franklin County ((OH)) Clerk of Courts told them that Pryor was not given driving privileges. Pryor's license was suspended for no proof of insurance and is in effect through August 18.

Driving with a suspended license is a first-degree misdemeanor in Ohio punishable by a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Also from NBC4i

Sources tell NBC4 Sports that nine current Ohio State football players are being interviewed Wednesday by the NCAA as part of the ongoing investigation. These are the current players who were named in the recent article by Sports Illustrated.

Oops...again...

Sports Illustrated Article Shows Pattern Of tOSU Wrongdoing

((HT: SI.com/CNN))

When it was revealed that George Dohrmann was on the loose in Columbus, Ohio a few weeks ago, the HQ raised a little more than an eyebrow. It's like releasing a bloodhound on a prison escapee in those stereotypic southern prison flicks...

You know it's only a matter of time...

And it was...

Dohrmann and David Epstein found out that memorabilia was dealt for marijuana in addition to tattoos as far back as 2002, and that Tressel may have been responsible for a violation as a tOSU assistant back in the 1980's.

SI's Andy Staples discusses to the admittedly sports-deficient Candy Crowley


And Dohrmann discusses what he found out as the story hits the press...
((HT: SI.com))

Tattoo You: tOSU Rife With Charges

((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

The tattoo parlor owner whose relationship with Ohio State football players led to suspensions and the current, rather in-depth, NCAA investigation is pleading guilty to federal charges including drug trafficking.

Edward Rife faces anywhere up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Rife is cooperating with authorities in the case in the hopes that it will minimize any sentence.

And you don't think the NCAA was paying attention until now...???

Guess what...???

The HQ now only thinks it is a matter of time until there are people fired as a result of this investigation, not just a "person."

Here's the latest from 10TV...


And we also think the whole "death penalty" thing may be waved in front of everyone and their family in Columbus... but it won't get there...

Here's the plea agreement...

Terrelle Pryor having second thoughts about staying at Ohio State

Terrelle Pryor/Courtesy: bloguinnetwork.com

((ht: nationalfootballpost.com))

It's been a tough last 6 months for the Ohio State Buckeyes and it doesn't look like their run of bad luck is ending anytime soon.

A report put out today from the National Football Post says that star Quarterback Terrelle Pryor, he of the tattoo incident and 5-game suspension to start the 2011 season, is having second thoughts about staying in Columbus for his senior season.

According to the Post, Pryor is weighing the option of entering the NFL Supplemental Draft. They say he's not sold on the idea...yet.

Read the entire story from nationalfootballpost.com RIGHT HERE

We think this may just be young Mr. Pryor getting antsy and realizing he's not going to be playing football for awhile. Considering all the problems the NFL is currently happening (See our Lockout/Strike series of stories), there's no guarantee that there will even be a Supplemental draft this year.

Unfortunately, Mr. Pryor....or his advisors are seriously over-estimating his future NFL Prospects. We've read numerous reports that say if he's going to have a chance at the next level, it will be at a position other than quarterback. We don't believe there is anything other than he's just not very good attached to that buzz, but we hope someone in his camp has heard this.

At this point, he'd be best served staying in Columbus and either getting his degree or getting closer to getting it, the opportunity to do that, will never be greater.

tOSU Starts Spring Practice, Fickell Interim Coach

((HT: WBNS-TV))

Ohio State announced that Luke Fickell has been promoted to assistant head football coach and will be the interim head coach for the first five games of the 2011 season.

Fickell keeps his role as linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator.

"I am honored to be able to grow at a place and in a program that I know, love and respect. It is extremely humbling," Fickell said in a statement.

Today was the first day of Spring practice in Columbus, and it was another day for THe Vest to be raked over the coals for his behavior- which he continued to apologize for at the same presser that Fickell was announced interim HC.

Here's Tressel again...
((HT: ESPN))

Tressel's E-Mails: Now We Know...Maybe...

((HT: Columbus Dispatch/Wagner, May))

Apparently, when tOSU head coach Jim Tressel acknowledged that the infamous/shot-across-the-bow e-mail warning was sent somewhere and his AD Gene Smith cut him off from any further details, we now know where they were sent...

We think...

An advisor to Terelle Pryor in his home town...

Ted Sarniak lives in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. He became friends with Pryor and had accompanied him on recruiting trips in the past. The university, however, will not identify Sarniak as a booster.

When asked by the Dispatch whether or not Tressel had passed the information in the e-mail to Sarniak, OSU officials said, "We are not discussing any issues relative to the case until it is resolved with the NCAA."

Of course not...

More when we know more...
The e-mails can be found hyah...

Here's your Gordon Gee flashback from the presser...
((HT: WBNS-TV Columbus))

BREAKING: OSU RecommendingTressel Suspension For Two Games

In lieu of everything going on at tOSU, now The Sweater is not immune.

The NCAA has suspended Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel for two games for "violating NCAA rules" to be served at the beginning of the 2011 season in games that may mean virtually nothing.

If Tressel knew of the "swapping memorabilia for tattoos" violations and did not report them immediately to the school's athletic director, Gordon Gee, or the university's compliance office, Tressel could be fired or face NCAA sanctions and penalties, including forfeiting the entire 2010 football season.

It's that whole "failure to monitor/environment of compliance" thing...

The NCAA will make the final decision on any punishment Tressel will receive.

More when we know more...

2000 UPDATE: Okay, we know more...

Here's a copy of the findings... and they're very interesting...
Apparently, everyone knew...

And here's the report from our friends at WBNS-TV...

Who Wants To Be Number One...???

Apparently, it's a curse this year...

Last night in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech came up and bit Duke to send the Blue Devils packing after their newly-minted number one ranking...

Here's the short version...
((HT: ESPN/youtube))


Won't be Texas since they completely torched a 22-point lead in Boulder against Colorado... here's what it was like to storm the court after the tank job by Rick Barnes' team...
((HT: pauljharris))


Is BYU going to get any run there since they went to San Diego State and took care of them by 13...? Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars with 25...
((HT: CBS/youtube))


Or does it go back to Ohio State and Kansas and take all the imagination out of the process...???

The HQ thinks it's probably that...

Art Schlichter in trouble again, this time a scam

The hits, just keep on coming. Art Schlichter, an ex-Ohio State and NFL football player who gained notoriety for his well-publicized gambling addiction, is in trouble yet again.

This time, he's being charged with a 1st degree felony in connection with stealing more than $1 million from someone.

According to reports, he was a part of a sports ticket scam and investigators think there are more victims out there.

The story, from the Columbus Dispatch RIGHT HERE

For his part, Schlichter turned himself in. It's not his first time with legal problems either. He spent 12 years for various fraud and forgery convictions.

His history, quite honestly is too lengthy for us to go into detail with. He was an all-american quarterback in college, made it to the pros, though he was mostly a backup quarterback with the Indianapolis Colts.

Either way, it's a sad commentary on what he was apparently all about that not only did he get in trouble, he can't seem to stop getting in trouble. And this newest case, if true, will keep him in jail for a long, long time.

Dana Jacobson Pays Her OSU-Michigan Debt

((HT: ESPN))

Every year, "First Take" anchors Jay Crawford ((the tOSU alum)) and Jacobson ((the Michigan alum)) have a running bet on their football game.

Jacobson lost... again...
And had to pay up...